Bending of light in modified gravity at large distances

We discuss the bending of light in a recent model for gravity at large distances containing a Rindler-type acceleration proposed by Grumiller [Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 211303 (2010)10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.211303PRLTAO0031-9007]. We consider the static, spherically symmetric metric with cosmological constant Λ and Rindler-like term 2ar presented in this model, and we use the procedure by Rindler and Ishak [W. Rindler and M. Ishak, Phys. Rev. DPRVDAQ1550-7998 76, 043006 (2007).10.1103/PhysRevD.76.043006] to obtain the bending angle of light in this metric. Earlier work on light bending in this model by Carloni, Grumiller, and Preis [Phys. Rev. DPRVDAQ1550-7998 83, 124024 (2011)10.1103/PhysRevD.83.124024], using the method normally employed for asymptotically flat space-times, led to a conflicting result (caused by the Rindler-like term in the metric) of a bending angle that increases with the distance of closest approach r₀ of the light ray from the centrally concentrated spherically symmetric matter distribution. However, when using the alternative approach for light bending in nonasymptotically flat space-times, we show that the linear Rindler-like term produces a small correction to the general relativistic result that is inversely proportional to r₀. This will in turn affect the bounds on Rindler acceleration obtained earlier from light bending and casts doubts on the nature of the linear term 2ar in the metric.